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What can my alternator handle?

Discussion in 'Electrical' started by spyshot, Jul 20, 2021.

  1. Jul 20, 2021 at 4:48 AM
    #1
    spyshot

    spyshot [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2018
    Member:
    #18282
    Messages:
    259
    Gender:
    Male
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra Platinum
    Hello folks, looking to hook up a 160W refrigerator in a trailer. I know that the 12v trailer plug from the truck is fused at 30 amps (360W).
    2 questions.

    1-How many watts would tandem trailer brakes use to make sure I'm not going to blow that 30A fuse?

    2-How do I know if my alternator (which I think is 150 amps) will handle the addition of this refrigerator? Of course I don't want to drain my truck's battery while I'm driving down the road.

    If I hook it all up, what kind of tests do you think I should do to determine if this is a problem?

    Thank you

    2019 Platitum CM 4x4 with tow pkg

    Adam
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2021
  2. Jul 23, 2021 at 8:35 AM
    #2
    couchpotato013

    couchpotato013 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2020
    Member:
    #52592
    Messages:
    13
    Consider an auxiliary battery in the trailer. The fridge would be running off the auxillary battery, and the alternator would maintain a charge on the battery as well as help run the fridge.

    When the batteries are full, the starter battery, auxillary battery, and alternator all help run the fridge so that you aren't overloading the alternator.

    This is also assuming the fridge isn't running all week long, to let the alternator charge up the 2 batteries.
     
    joseph_womack likes this.
  3. Jul 23, 2021 at 8:48 AM
    #3
    spyshot

    spyshot [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2018
    Member:
    #18282
    Messages:
    259
    Gender:
    Male
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra Platinum
    Ok. I may go get a deep cycle. Thanks
     

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